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Inspection and Maintenance of Weathering Steel Bridges Douglas D. Crampton, P.E., S.E. Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates. History of Weathering Steel Bridges in Iowa. 1930’s: Weathering steel first evolved 1964: First used for a bridge application 1980: Michigan moratorium, Iowa followed
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Inspection and Maintenance of Weathering Steel Bridges Douglas D. Crampton, P.E., S.E. Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates
History of Weathering Steel Bridges in Iowa • 1930’s: Weathering steel first evolved • 1964: First used for a bridge application • 1980: Michigan moratorium, Iowa followed • Research studies • Mid-1990’s: Weathering steel bridges reintroduced in Iowa • Recent years: Certain Iowa bridges are not performing properly • Currently Iowa has approximately 139 weathering steel bridges • 97% were constructed after 1994 Solutions for the Built World
Typical Patina Behavior Excessive chlorides, poor exposure, increased time of wetness Protective Rust Solutions for the Built World
Project Objectives • Identify problematic bridges • Identify problematic locations or details • Evaluate inspection techniques • Prioritize bridges: • Condition • Location • Exposure • Recommend maintenance program Solutions for the Built World
Field Investigation Solutions for the Built World
Inspection and Testing Methods • Visual Inspection • Chloride Testing • Tape Adhesion • Color Testing • Core Samples • SEM/FTIR/XRD Solutions for the Built World
Inspection and Testing Methods • Goals of Inspection Method: • Consistent • Reliable • Repeatable • Objective Results • Visual Inspection: easy and practical, but not always objective • Tape Adhesion Tests: simple, practical, and objective • Color Testing: not always consistent • Chloride Testing: not always reliable • Core Samples, SEM, XRD: not practical or cost effective Solutions for the Built World
Inspection and Testing Methods Non-Protective Thick Rust Increasing Flake Size Protective Rust Solutions for the Built World
Proposed Rating Scale (NBIS Format) • Overall Appearance • Flake Size and Density • Color and Consistency
Example 1: No Chloride Exposure Solutions for the Built World
Example 2: Chloride Exposure Solutions for the Built World
Example 2: Chloride Exposure Solutions for the Built World
Example 2: Chloride Exposure Solutions for the Built World
Example 2b: Chloride Exposure Solutions for the Built World
Example 2b: Chloride Exposure Solutions for the Built World
Example 2b: Chloride Exposure Solutions for the Built World
Example 2b: Chloride Exposure Solutions for the Built World
Iowa Weathering Steel BridgesConditions Affecting Patina Performance • Chloride Use: • Salted from above • Salt spray from below • Both • Time of wetness • Location: • Urban • Suburban • Rural • Exposure: • Bold • Sheltered • Tunnel Effect • Service Below: • Interstate or waterway • Low clearance? • High % trucks? • Detailing Solutions for the Built World
Iowa Weathering Steel Bridges Solutions for the Built World
Iowa Weathering Steel Bridges Solutions for the Built World
Iowa Weathering Steel Bridges Solutions for the Built World
Iowa Weathering Steel Bridges Solutions for the Built World
Iowa Weathering Steel Bridges Solutions for the Built World
Prioritization and Maintenance Solutions for the Built World
Prioritization and Maintenance Solutions for the Built World
Prioritization and Maintenance Proposed Washing Intervals Solutions for the Built World
Prioritization and Maintenance Proposed Patina Maintenance Solutions for the Built World
Questions? Douglas D. Crampton, P.E., S.E. Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Northbrook, Illinois (847) 272-7400 dcrampton@wje.com www.wje.com